Daily News – Asela Kuruluwansa in Kandy

A leader loved by the people and sincerely committed to the welfare of the country should have the opportunity to rule the country without any legal constraints as long as the people desire so, said Asgiri Mahanayake Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Thera when he met External Affairs Minister Prof G L Pieris.

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Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva)

Another twenty seven (27) new houses constructed under the Second Phase of Api Wenuwen Api housing programme were ceremonially handed over to the war heroes and their families by President Mahinda Rajapaksa (today) on 5th September at Thorayaya in Kurunegala.

To mark the occasion, President Rajapaksa handed over the first key of those houses to the widow and children of a fallen war hero of Sri Lanka Navy, Officer T.M.R.K Tennakoon who made his utmost sacrifice for defending the motherland while serving in the battle front in 2007.

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TC – By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga condemned the 18th Amendment proposed by the government saying it is a “horrendous move” and that she could not agree with it in any way.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Kumaratunga said that being “a total democrat,” she believes that rulers must not grab power, but on the contrary make it even more democratic. Kumaratunga said she had been firmly committed to abolishing the Executive Presidency and tried to do so in 2000 along with the devolution package, since the position was extremely dangerous to democracy. “Abolishing of the Executive Presidency was also included in the package,” she said,

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Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva)

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid homage to the Muthiyangana Rajamaha Vihara in Badulla this morning on 04th September. President met the Chief Incumbent of the Viharaya, Venerable Murutthadeniye Dhammarathana Nayaka Thero and took part in religious observances. Later Venerable Thero placed the sacred relic casket on President Rajapaksa’s head to bless him. Laying white sand at the Vihara Maha Maluwa of the temple was also held with the initiative of President Rajapaksa.

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Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva)

President Mahinda Rajapaksa played few cricket strokes to inaugurate the newly built Indoor Cricket Stadium in Badulla by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) this morning on 4th September. He thoroughly enjoyed playing cricket without opposition players while opening the venue for public in a grand style.

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DM Online – By Kelum Bandara

Parliament will have a full day’s debate on the controversial 18th Amendment to the Constitution from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm on September 8.

The decision was taken at the party leaders’ meeting held in the parliamentary complex with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa in the chair yesterday.

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The Island – by Zacki Jabbar

Instead of implementing the 17th Amendment that would have given public servants the badly needed protection they require, public servants are tied to trees and abused by members of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Addressing a group of public servants in Colombo, he said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s proposed 18th Amendment has sought to deny the protection that the Public Service Commission, if implemented, would have given harassed government employees.

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News courtesy: Ada Derana

UNP Galle District MP Manusha Nanayakkara has stated that he will support the upcoming Constitutional Amendment of the Government. He added that he will vote in favour of the amendment at parliament next week.

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Daily News – By Rasika SOMARATHNA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the 59th anniversary meeting of the SLFP yesterday that accelerated development, a stable Government, strengthening democracy, peace and prosperity in line with people’s expectations were the aims of the envisaged constitutional amendments and not the extension of his term in office.

Addressing over 15,000, including party cadres from top to the grass-roots level at Temple Trees, the President said that if he chose to go for a third term first the party had to sanction his candidacy and next the people had to decide whether or not to retain him.

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(Colombo Lankapuvath) Dengue is something we hear every day. This deadly menace has not yet been eradicated. According to a concept of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa an islandwide Dengue Eradication Campaign under the “Carlton Suwa Udana” healthcare program aimed at enhancing the Standards of Health, nourishment and life skills of people was started in Colombo suburbs yesterday (01).

The First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse herself sterilized Dengue Breeding grounds in Maligawatte area in Colombo yesterday (01) in the eradication campaign organized by the Carlton Suwa Udana Programme. This Campaign included cleaning of school premises, nearby lands and houses. It also covered the Modera Ananda Vidyalaya, Bambalapitiya Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Isipathana College, Borella Sangamitta and Seevalie Colleges. Education, Health, Defence Ministry Officials and Prison Officers attended this campaign.

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Daily News – By Ishara JAYAWARDENA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the Government has performed an outstanding service to uplift the status of the farmer community in Sri Lanka. He stated that the people should be prepared to make the best use of country’s lands to foster future development.

He added that the service carried out by the Government for the development of agriculture sector will ever be remembered by the farmers in the country though short lived in the minds of politicians.

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Daily News – By Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Supreme Court will communicate its decision regarding the Constitutional changes to the President and Speaker today, September 1, 2010.

The Bench comprising Justice Dr. Shirani A. Bandaranayake (President), Justice K. Sripavan, Justice P. A. Ratnayake PC, Justice S. I. Imam and Justice Suresh Chandra directed Attorney General President’s Counsel Mohan Pieris and the other Counsel who appeared for several other parties to submit their written submissions before 10 a.m. today, September 1, 2010.

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